City of Lancaster to Host ‘California Coalition on Water Rate Reform’ Information Conference

City of Lancaster to Host ‘California Coalition on Water Rate Reform’ Information Conference

The City of Lancaster will host an information conference for the California Coalition on Water Rate Reform. The Coalition is currently leading a statewide non-partisan water rates reform movement, which will be discussed in detail during the conference. In addition, the Coalition will present findings in support of its call for legislative reform of California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) rules, policies and practices in ratemaking cases.

The Coalition advocates for approximately 1.5 million of the estimated 6.2 million Californians serviced by water companies with rates set by the CPUC. It is the Coalition’s contention that the CPUC is enabling regulated monopolies to charge rates which are three to five times higher than those paid by customers of public water utilities.

The City of Lancaster recently adopted a Resolution (No. 17-58) supporting statewide legislative reforms to the CPUC ratemaking process in order to achieve fair, equitable, and financially affordable rates for California customers or investor-owned, for profit water utilities. As such, the City has agreed to make its City Council chambers available for the Coalition’s information meeting. The Coalition also includes members of the Lancaster community.

The Coalition has invited a wide range of stakeholder representatives, including: State and Local elected officials; CPUC Commissioners; and the CPUC Office of Rate Payer Advocates (ORA).